Modular System for the Construction of Overhead Wire Support and/or Supporting Pile foundations

ABSTRACT

The present invention, consisting in a new modular system for the construction of overhead wire support and/or supporting pile foundations, aims at making the foundation building process less subject to uncontrolled variations in the construction stages and at improving technical and qualitative features of this kind of foundation in comparison to traditional on site foundations. The invention consists of prefabricated modules (type A, B and C): they have different geometric features and can be composed following different patterns so to meet all the foundation construction requirements according to the kind of pile needed and to the steel bars used to lock the finished block layers, restoring the monolithicity of the block.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the modular building sector.Particularly, it consists in a new modular system for the constructionof overhead wire support and/or supporting pile foundations.

BACKGROUND ART

The current system used for the construction of overhead wire supportand/or supporting pile foundations consists in completely realizing thefoundations on site, through different stages: hand or mechanicaldigging, positioning of the pouring pipe, hand concrete discharging,installation of the pile by a mechanical mean.

Such a system presents critical aspects: miscentring of the pouring pipeas to the foundation block; non-observance of the distance between thedig and the pouring pipe base leading to a lower depth of pileinstallation in the ground; difficult control over the quality of theconcrete, usually prepared on site or bought in a warehouse and thentaken to the construction site; possible movement of the pouring pipedue to concrete discharging; difficult squaring of the foundation blockwalls; possible emerging block surface defects due to the realization ofinclines preventing rain from flowing.

Such issues, although in different sectors, are partially dealt with andsolved in patent applications U.S. Pat. No. 6,178,714 and N°US2004000114.

Application U.S. Pat. No. 6,178,714 relates to a system for theconstruction of a removable modular structure consisting of an evenconcrete base, regularly spaced holes where to insert and lock verticalpoles and/or columns; a series of standard size blocks, each providedwith one or more fixing holes; a series of fixing columns and polesrepresenting, once inserted, the locking element for the assembly ofnext blocks, thus creating a wall which doesn't require the use ofconcrete and easy to dismantle.

Application N° US2004000114 relates to a modular system for blockconstruction consisting of a semi finished object provided with a seriesof passages. Semi finished objects can be made of plastic and filledwith concrete or reinforcement steel bars in order to build beds,foundations, beams, walls and roofs.

However, neither the current building technique nor these two patentapplications solve the above mentioned critical aspects.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The present invention, consisting in a new modular system for theconstruction of overhead wire support and/or supporting pilefoundations, aims at overcoming all the problems and disadvantages ofthe existing systems.

Particularly, this new system aims at making the process of foundationconstruction efficient and effective by making it less subject to thoseuncontrolled variations in the installation stages causing the abovementioned critical aspects.

The invention consists of three types (A, B, C) of prefabricatedmodules: they have different geometric features and can be composedfollowing different patterns meeting all the foundation constructionrequirements according to the kind of pile needed and to the steel barsused to lock the finished block layers and restoring the monolithicityof the block. Here follow the building features of the above mentionedmodules.

-   -   Type A module: prefabricated block used as a base to modules B        and C, provided with four holes (one at each corner) for the        installation of the finished block fixing bars restoring the        monolithicity of the block itself, and with jack notches        necessary for the movement of the module.    -   Type B module: prefabricated block used as a top layer to type A        module. Type B modules are used in a high enough number to reach        the depth of the foundation required depending on the pile to be        installed. Type B module is provided with four holes (one at        each corner) for the installation of the finished block fixing        bars restoring the monolithicity of the block itself, jack        notches necessary for the movement of the module, a central hole        for installing the pile and ground cable grooves.    -   Type C module: prefabricated block used at the top of an        emerging block. Type C module is provided with four holes (one        at each corner) for the installation of the finished block        fixing bars restoring the monolithicity of the block itself,        jack notches necessary for the movement of the module, a central        hole for installing the pile and a superficial incline allowing        rain to flow.    -   Steel bars: round elements which are inserted in each of the        module A, B and C corner holes. Each element is then fixed by        filling the hollow space with high adherence expansive grout        which is injected at a low pressure in order to allow the fixing        of all block layers (“module solidarization”) and the        restoration of the monolithicity of the block itself.

The main feature of the present invention is it's modularity which, bycomposing prefabricated elements, improves and simplifies foundationconstruction in comparison to the traditional on site technique. Thepresent invention enables the construction of block foundations with ahigh technical-qualitative profile and solves all the issues andcritical aspects resulting from the traditional technique.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

-   -   1. Total modularity of the invention which, by using the right        number of prefabricated modules, enables to reach the depth of        the foundation required depending on the pile to be installed.    -   2. High technical-qualitative profile of the foundation block.    -   3. Easy installation allowing the pile centring and the creation        of the right inclines for rain flowing.    -   4. Control of the insertion depth of the supporting pile.    -   5. Scientific control of the quality of the concrete used for        module construction as directly produced in concrete production        plants.    -   6. No concrete seasoning issues. Concrete can be considered        “mature” only 28 days after being discharged: therefore, all the        stresses affecting the foundation block before these 28 days can        lead to disaggregation of concrete components.    -   7. No waiting time for concrete hardening.    -   8. No inert material segregation.    -   9. No problems due to the working site as the quality of a        foundation block constructed in a rough site is the same as that        of a foundation block constructed on a plane.    -   10. Reduced building time.

The above mentioned advantages will be clearer in the description of theenclosed pictures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a 3D view of the module composition layout for thefoundation construction: module A (acting as a base) (A), one or moremodule B layers (B), module C (C) and the bar (D) connecting the modulesand restoring the monolithicity of the block.

FIG. 2 shows a 3D view and a longitudinal and cross section of type Amodule, featuring bar insertion holes (E) and module movement jacks (F).

FIG. 3 shows a 3D view and a longitudinal and cross section of type Bmodule, featuring the same holes (E) and jacks (F) as in FIG. 2, acentral hole (G) for the pile insertion and ground cable grooves (H).

FIG. 4 shows a 3D view and a longitudinal and cross section of type Cmodule, featuring the same holes (E), jacks (F) and central hole (G) asin previous figures, and an inclined (L) surface (I) for rain flowing.

The invention is not limited to the description given but can bemodified without lying outside the patent.

This invention has several advantages and enables the user to overcome anumber of problems which could not be solved if using currentlyavailable systems.

1. Modular system for the construction of overhead wire support and/orsupporting pile foundations consisting of three types of prefabricatemodules (A,B,C) and by round steel bars-(D); Type A module:prefabricated block used as a base to modules B and C, provided withfour holes (one at each corner) for the installation of the finishedblock fixing bars restoring the monolithicity of the block itself, andwith jack notches necessary for the movement of the module; Type Bmodules are used in a high enough number to reach the depth of thefoundation required depending on the pile to be installed; Type B moduleis provided with four holes (one at each corner) for the installation ofthe finished block fixing bars restoring the monolithicity of the blockitself, jack notches necessary for the movement of the module, a centralhole for installing the pile and ground cable grooves; Type C module:prefabricated block used at the top of an emerging block; Type C moduleis provided with four holes (one at each corner) for the installation ofthe finished block fixing bars restoring the monolithicity of the blockitself, jack notches necessary for the movement of the module, a centralhole for installing the pile and a superficial incline avoiding waterstagnation; Steel bars: round elements which are inserted in each of themodule A, B and C corner holes; and Each element is then fixed byfilling the hollow space with high adherence expansive grout which isinjected at a low pressure in order to allow the fixing of the all theblock layers (“module solidarization”) and the restoration of themonolithicity of the block itself.
 2. Modular system for theconstruction of overhead wire support and/or supporting pile foundationcharacterised, as claimed in claim 1, by a total modularity resultingfrom the composition and combination of prefabricated modules. 3.Modular system for the construction of overhead wire support and/orsupporting pile foundations characterised, as claimed in claim 1, bytotal universality resulting from the composition and combination of theright number of prefabricated type B modules meeting the foundationtechnical requirements depending on the kind of pile used.
 4. Modularsystem for the construction of overhead wire support and/or supportingpile foundations characterised, as claimed in claim 1, by the use ofsteel bars which are inserted in the provided module holes and, then,fixed using high adherence expansive grout injected at a low pressureallowing the fixing of all block layers (“module solidarization”) andthe restoration of the monolithicity of the block itself.
 5. Modularsystem for the construction of overhead wire support and/or supportingpile foundations characterised, as claimed in claim 1, by the use ofprefabricated elements assuring the construction of a foundation blockwith high technical and qualitative features.
 6. Modular system for theconstruction of overhead wire support and/or supporting pile foundationscharacterised, as claimed in claim 1, by the guaranteed centring of thesupport and/or pile as to the foundation block.
 7. Modular system forthe construction of overhead wire support and/or supporting pilefoundations characterised, as claimed in claim 1, by the possibility ofcontrolling the supporting pile insertion depth.
 8. Modular system forthe construction of overhead wire support and/or supporting pilefoundation characterised, as claimed in claim 1, by the use ofprefabricated elements assuring shorter building times compared to thetraditional on site technique.
 9. Modular system for the construction ofoverhead wire support and/or supporting pile foundations characterised,as claimed in claim 1, by an easy construction process.
 10. Modularsystem for the construction of overhead wire support and/or supportingpile foundations characterised, as claimed in claim 1, by thepossibility of installing module C at the top of the block in order tobuild emerging foundations.
 11. Modular system for the construction ofoverhead wire support and/or supporting pile foundations characterised,as claimed in claim 1, by the possible use of piles made of cac,sheet-zinc, different metals, wood, resins and several composedmaterials.
 12. Modular system for the construction of overhead wiresupport and/or supporting pile foundations characterised, as claimed inclaim 1, by no problems relating to concrete seasoning and inertmaterial segregation.
 13. Modular system for the construction ofoverhead wire support and/or supporting pile foundation characterised,as claimed in claim 1, by the foundation construction according torequired specifications, regardless of the site geotechnical features.